
Glass 
Book 






59 2dS°^k>n S$ ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES {^"sq"' 



Denis M, Hurley 

(Late a Representative from New York) 



MEMORIAL ADDRESSES 



Fifty-Fifth Congress, Third Session 
Fifty-Sixth Congress, First Session 



HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
March 2, 1899 
June 4, 1900 






Compiled under the direction of the Joint Committee on Printing 



WASHINGTON : : GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : : 1907 






M 



MAY 29 1907 
D.ofD. 




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H © M . S 3 j'J J 5 ;,J . >J LI Ji L 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



Page. 

Proceedings in the House 5 

Memorial addresses: 

Address of Mr. Fischer, of New York 9 

Address of Mr. Stone, of Pennsylvania 14 

Address of Mr. Howe, of New York 17 

Address of Mr. Shannon, of New York 18 

Address of Mr. Bartholdt, of Missouri 21 

Address of Mr. Mitchell, of New York 26 

Address of Mr. Ray, of New York 27 

Address of Mr. Meyer, of Louisiana 33 

Proceedings in the Senate 35 

3 



DEATH OF REPRESENTATIVE DENIS M. HURLEY 



PROCEEDINGS IN THE HOUSE 

Monday, February 2J, iSgg. 

Mr. Fischer. Mr. Speaker, I am in receipt of the sad news 
that Mr. Denis M. Hurley, a colleague of mine and a Mem- 
ber of this House, died on yesterday at Hot Springs, in Vir- 
ginia. It is not my purpose now to go into any extensive 
remarks concerning his life, character, and work. I shall, 
however, at some other day ask the House to take proper 
action. At the present I offer the resolutions which I send to 
the desk. 

The Clerk read as follows: 

Resolved, That the House has heard with deep regret and profound 
sorrow of the death of Hon. DENIS M. Hurley, late a Representative 
from the State of New York. 

Resolved, That a committee of eleven Members of the House, with 
such Members of the Senate as may be joined, be appointed to attend the 
funeral at Brooklyn, X. Y., and that the necessary expenses attending 
the execution of this order be paid out of the contingent fund of the 
House. 

Resolved, That the Sergeaut-at-Arms of the House be authorized and 
directed to take such steps as may be necessary for properly carrying out 
the provisions of this resolution. 

Resolved, That the Clerk of the House communicate these resolutions 
to the Senate and transmit a copy thereof to the family of the deceased. 

5 



6 Memorial Addresses: Denis M. Hurley 

The Speaker pro tempore. The question is on agreeing to 
the resolutions. 

The question was taken; and the resolutions were unani- 
mously agreed to. 

The Speakkr pro tempore. The Chair appoints the follow- 
ing committee: Mr. Fischer, Mr. Sherman, Mr. Howe, Mr. 
Shannon, Mr. Odell, Mr. Bartholdt, Mr. Mahon, Mr. Kulp, 
Mr. Driggs, Mr. Bartlett, and Mr. Clayton. 

The Clerk will report the last resolution. 

The Clerk read as follows: 

Resolved, That ;in a further mark of respect the House do now adjourn. 

The motion was agreed to; and accordingly (at 5 o'clock 

and 5S minutes p. m. ) the House adjourned until 1 1 o'clock 

a. m. to-morrow. 

Thursday, March 2, iSpp. 

Mr. Fischer. Mr. Speaker, owing to the lateness of the 
hour and the fact that the session has but a few hours left for 
legislative business, and that it is impossible to set aside a day 
for eulogies upon my late colleague [Mr. Hurley] . I ask unani- 
mous consent that a proper resolution relating to such eulogies 
may be introduced, and that gentlemen who desire to do so 
may be permitted to print remarks on the life and character of 
my late colleague in the Record for fifteen days. 

The Speaker. The gentleman from New York asks unani- 
mous consent that leave shall be granted to print eulogies upon 
his late colleague for fifteen days. Is there objection? [After 
a pause.] The Chair hears none. 

Mr. Fischer. I move as a further mark of respect to the 
memory of my late colleague that the House do now adjourn. 

The motion was agreed to; and accordingly (at 5 o'clock and 
55 minutes p. 111. ) the House adjourned. 



Proceedings in the House 

Monday, June /, rpoo. 

Mr. Fitzgerald of New York, by unanimous consent, 
submitted the following resolution ; which was read, consid- 
ered, and adopted: 

Whereas the late Hon. Denis M. HURLEY, Member of the Fifty-fifth 
Congress from the Second district of the State of New York, died on the 
26th day of February, 1S99, immediately preceding the final adjournment 
of the Fifty-fifth Congress; and 

Whereas the pressure of public business in the few days then remaining 
of the Fifty-fifth Congress prevented a day being set apart for the custom- 
ary tributes to the memory of the said deceased : 

Resolved by the House of Representatives ( the Senate concurring), That 
Members of the Senate and of the House of Representatives be permitted 
to print in the Record appropriate remarks in eulogy of the said Hon. 
Denis M. Hurley, deceased. 

And then, on motion of Mr. Payne (at 7 o'clock and 3 
minutes p. m. ), the House adjourned until 12 o'clock m., 
to-morrow. 

Tuesday, June j, /goo. 

A message from the Senate, by Mr. Piatt, one of its clerks, 
announced that the Senate had passed without amendment the 
following resolution: 

Whereas the late Hon. Denis M. Hurley, Member of the Fifty-fifth 
Congress from the Second district of the State of New York, died on the 
26th day of February, 1S99, immediately preceding the final adjournment 
of the Fifty-fifth Congress: 

Resolved by the House of Representatives 1 tlie Senate concurring), That 
Members of the Senate and of the House be permitted to print in the 
Record appropriate remarks in eulogy of the said Hon. Denis M. Hurley, 
deceased. 



MEMORIAL ADDRESSES 



Address of Mr. Fischer, of New York 

Mr. Speaker: The news which reached this House on Mon- 
day last announcing the death of the Hon. Denis M. Hurley, 
a Member from the State of New York, at Hot Springs, in 
the State of Virginia, on the 26th day of February, was a blow 
felt deeply by every Member, and while it is the desire of his 
late colleagues that a time might be set apart for the purpose 
of paying fitting tribute to his memory, yet, by reason of the 
fact that but few hours remain for the business of this Con- 
gress, they have concluded that a few words shall go upon the 
record before adjournment, and I desire, therefore, for myself 
and in my own feeble way, to brief!}' record my opinion of his 
life, character, and worth. 

Denis M. Hurley was born in the city of Limerick, Ireland, 
March 14, 1843, and came to this country when he was 7 years 
old. He took up his residence in the city of Brooklyn upon 
his arrival in June, 1S50. He remained in Brooklyn until 
1854, when he removed to New York City, residing there until 
the year 1866, when he again moved to Brooklyn, remaining in 
the latter city until his death. 

His early struggles and subsequent successes furnish us with 
one more example of the possibilities that come to young men 
who seek our shores and apply themselves intelligently and faith- 
fully to their needs and progress. He attended public school in 

9 



io Memorial Addresses : Denis M. Hurley 

the city of New York, remaining there until he was 14 years of 
age, when he left to secure employment in order that he might 
earn for himself a livelihood. His first occupation was that of 
apprentice to a carpenter, and he continued at that trade until 
the year 1868, when he left to accept an appointment as a 
United States weigher in the customs service at the port of 
Xew York. This position he retained until the year 1879, 
when he resigned to enter into private business. Several years 
thereafter he became identified with the Beard Dredging Com- 
pany as its superintendent, and subsequently he became one of 
its largest stockholders. 

His popularity in his district, as well as in the city of his 
adoption, was unbounded, and whenever he presented himself 
to the people for their suffrages that popularity was fully 
proven. In the year 1880, upon the urgent recpiest of his polit- 
ical organization, he became its candidate for member of assem- 
bly in order that the ticket headed by James A. Garfield might 
be locally strengthened; and although he knew that his district 
was overwhelmingly Democratic, he entered the campaign with 
such energy that when the polls closed mi that election day the 
judgment of his party was more than justified, for while the 
district gave a Democratic majority of 3,000 for all candidates 
except member of assembly, Mr. Hurley was defeated by only 
[50 votes. This fact and his grand character, steadfastness, 
and ability induced his people to bring him forward in the year 
1894 as their candidate for Congress in the district in which he 
resided. 

His canvass for the latter office resulted in his election. In 
the year 1896 he was again the candidate of his party and was 
triumphantly reelected by a very comfortable majority. He 
was the first Republican ever elected to represent that district 
in Congress. At the beginning of the campaign of 1898 he 



Address of Mr. Fischer, of New York n 

expressed a desire to retire from office. He felt that his large 
and growing business required more of his time, and his part- 
ners insisted that they needed his ability and energy; but, not- 
withstanding all this, the people of his district persisted in their 
demands and renominated him by acclamation for a third time, 
and after the urgent request of his party and his friends he 
consented to make an effort to hold the district for them. The 
campaign was a severe and arduous one and, coupled with the 
severe weather which that period experienced, told fatally upon 
his constitution. 

The announcement of the result of the election found him 
cheerful. On a visit to my office, a few days thereafter, he 
spoke jokingly of the campaign through which we had just 
passed and added a declaration that his defeat was a grant from 
his constituents, relieving him from office in order that he 
might return to his business. 

It was but a few days after this when I received the sad 
and startling news that he had been prostrated by a stroke of 
paralysis, and when I called upon him he said, with a smile: 
" It's all right; I thought you and Sherman would have to pro- 
nounce my eulogy in the House, but I have relieved you of 
this unpleasant duty and I am getting better." 

He gradually recovered the use of his limbs, and, in fact, 
continued to improve so rapidly that immediately after the 
holidays, upon the advice of his physician, he left home for 
Hot Springs, in Virginia. There his improvement was most 
marked. In fact, he had improved so much that on Wednes- 
day last he came to Washington and spent two days looking 
after some matters of interest to himself and constituents, 
and his friends in the House expressed the greatest satisfac- 
tion and pleasure at his reappearance in their midst. When 
he bade us good-by we felt he would be gone but a short 



12 Memorial Addresses: Denis M. Hurley 

while and would return fully recovered. Therefore I am at 
a loss to say as I should how severe a shock was the recep- 
tion of the news of his death, following his visit so closely. 

Mr. HURLEY'S character was one of the grandest ever pos- 
sessed by any man. He was plain, straightforward, and honest, 
and his love for the good was so great that he could not bear 
the company of men who were otherwise. Indeed, he did not 
hesitate to say to those who were not upright and honest that 
he did not want their company. From my acquaintance with 
him, extending over eleven years, I will say that I never knew 
him to do a mean act. He was so constituted, both in mind 
and heart, that he could not commit one if he tried. 

His greatest pleasure was in looking after the welfare of his 
family, and I have heard him say many times that he loved his 
children so well that he wished he had more of them. And as 
he put it, in his homely way, "the happiest and proudest man 
is he who is surrounded by a large and happy family." His 
love for his children was reciprocated by them. Although 
they had grown to years of maturity, and some married and 
established in their own homes, his merest wish was a law unto 
them, and I know they were pleased to obey. 

The loss sustained by his family and by this House, and so 
deeply regretted by both, also fell heavily upon his constituents 
and friends, and his funeral, which I had the honor to attend, 
was the greatest outpouring of a grief-stricken and saddened 
community which I have ever seen. The funeral cortege was 
fully one-half a mile long; some in carriages and many on foot 
followed the procession from his late home t<> the church where 
the hist sad rites were held. The vast concourse of people 
who came to pay their last respects was made up of all classes 
and of all religions and sects. The church in which the 
services were held was the largest in the city, but was too 



Address of Mr. Fischer, of New York 13 

small to accommodate the vast assemblage that attended. No 
man has died in that city whose death was ever more deeply 
regretted than was that of Hon. Denis M. Hurley. 

For myself, I desire to say that in the death of Mr. Hurley 
lose one of ray best political and social friends. His goodness 
of heart, his desire to serve others, and his entire unselfishness 
in all things made him one of the grandest and best of friends 
and citizens, and I do not violate my conscience when I say 
that I felt his loss almost as much as I did that of my own 
parents. 

The grandest compliment, in conclusion, that I can pay him. 
is to record the opinion of all who knew him, that he was an 
honest man. 



14 Memorial Addresses : Do/is M. Hurley 



Address of Mr. Stone, of Pennsylvania 

Mr. SPEAKER' I would pay the tribute of a sincere friend 
to the merits and memory of Denis M. Hurley. Few men 
in this House have won for themselves a more genuine regard 
or a kindlier feeling from their fellow-members than Mr. 
Hurley possessed. This was not because of anything special 
that he did or said, but for what they felt he was — a true, sin- 
cere, straightforward, open-hearted, clean-handed, honest, and 
earnest man. He performed his duties in a quiet, faithful, 
unostentatious manner. He was ever ready to serve a con- 
stituent or aid a friend. He was not an orator, and yet he 
could express himself clearly and in a manner that attracted 
attention and commanded respect, partly, perhaps, from the 
modesty, if not the diffidence, of his bearing, but largely from 
the transparent simplicity and evident sincerity of his utter- 
ances. He was not a constructive statesman, and yet he had 
earnest convictions on the great questions of the day, and had 
studied attentively and had acquired a store of information on 
some of the questions of practical governmental administration 
of which any of his colleagues might have been proud. He was 
not highly educated, but he was well informed, and his informa- 
tion was of that practical character which conies from thoughtful 
observation, intelligent reading, and the teachings of personal 
experience and reflection. He was not an aggressive partisan, 
and yet he had deep and strong political convictions, from 
which he never swerved, and he was always true to the prin- 
ciples of the party with which he was allied. 

Mr. Hurley was exceptionally modest and unpretentious in 
tastes, manner, and life, and given to no show nor parade, He 



Address of Mr. Stone, of Pennsylvania 15 

essayed no leadership and never assumed more merit than he 
possessed, and often not as much. He was moderate in action, 
gentle in manner and speech. He was faithful to every trust 
assumed; true to his country, to his party, to his friends, to 
himself. He never wavered nor faltered in any cause in which 
he enlisted. My last interview with him was a striking illus- 
tration of his earnestness of purpose and persistent devotion to 
any cause that enlisted his sympathy and commanded his 
approval. He had in some way become early strongly impressed 
with the importance of the adoption by this country of a deci- 
mal or metric system of weights and measures, and the bill for 
that purpose introduced by him in the Fifty-fourth and again 
in the present Congress was to him a matter of constant care 
and interest. 

When, three or four days before his sudden death, he reached 
the Capitol for an hour, after many months of wear)' sickness 
and enforced absence, he sought the room of the Committee on 
Coinage, Weights, and Measures with the apparently sole pur- 
pose of finding someone who would assume, in the Fifty-sixth 
Congress, charge of the cause and the work to which he had 
devoted himself so zealously during his term of service in this 
body. When he was assured that a colleague from his own 
State would take up his unfinished work and introduce and 
press his bill in the next House he expressed his satisfaction in 
his characteristically quiet manner, but in a way that showed 
he felt he had performed his last public duty. It was a sad and 
solemn occasion. Even the hand of Death, which he must have 
felt already drawing him to the silent tomb, did not hold him 
from a last effort to forward a cause to which he was devoted, 
and almost from the confines of another world came the legacy 
of duty which he intrusted to his colleague. 

Others who knew Mr. Hurley in his home, in his family 



16 Memorial Addresses; Denis M. Hurl<\ 

life, in his business associations, can bear witness to those 
attractive qualities which bound to him a devoted family and 
confiding and appreciative business associates. Those of us 
who knew him only as a Member of this body can bear ready 
testimony to his fidelity to public duty, his purity of purpose, 
and to his simplicity and yet strength of character manifested 
during his service in this body; and even in the hurry and 
pressure of these closing hours of a dying Congress we do not 
forget the friend and associate who has gone on before. 



Address of Mr. Howe, of New York 17 



Address of Mr. Howe, of New York. 

Mr. Speaker: In offering a tribute to the life, character, 
and memory of my colleague, the Hon. Denis M. Hurley, 
let me say that his was not only a spotless life of morality 
but one fully charged with those beautiful characteristics that 
mark the man of kindly feeling and whose heart was ever 
sensitive at the distress of his fellow-men. 

Mr. Hurley was one of God's noblemen. His heart over- 
flowed with kindness. He was generous, brave, withal pos- 
sessed of a nature as gentle and sweet as that of a child. He 
was a man of broad and liberal views, wise and sagacious in 
political counsel, and possessed of remarkable business fore- 
sight. They loved him most who knew him best. The more 
intimate one became with him the more did his genial soul 
reveal itself. 

As a Representative he was unswerving in his fidelity to the 
trust reposed in him by the people of his Congressional district, 
not only giving character and tone to the great business interests 
centered in his district but reflecting credit upon the intelli- 
gence of his constituents and himself as well. 

The world was made better by the life of Dkxis M. Hurley, 
and when God took him to Himself there was left a void that 
will long remain unfilled. 

May the recollection of the good qualities of his life remain 
with us and continue to inspire us to nobler and better deeds, 
thus emulating this noble man, leaving the world when we go 
from it better because of our having lived. 
H. Doc. 801, 59-2 2 



iS Memorial Addresses: Denis M. Hurley 



Address of Mr. Shannon, of New York. 

Mr. Speaker: My personal acquaintance with our late col- 
league began only with our common service in this House, and 
so I may not be allowed to speak of him with that fullness of 
knowledge regarding his life work and career which is permitted 
to those who knew him intimately for many years. 

My acquaintance thus formed, however, quickly ripened into 
a warm and sincere friendship, for who could resist that frank 
and honest nature, that genial and amiable disposition which so 
endeared him to his friends and associates? To me he seemed 
to be ever smiling and happy, and so perfectly contented with 
his lot that I sometimes wondered if he was indeed wholly free 
from those troubles and cares and anxieties of life which 
usually disturb men. 

If an exception is to be made of the occasion when he recently 
appeared among us, it must be remembered that he had already 
suffered the fatal stroke which ultimately laid him low. I shall 
not soon forget that last interview with our departed friend and 
colleague. Tears welled to his eyes as he sat listening to our 
words of earnest sympathy, for we could not hide from him if 
we would the deep sorrow our hearts felt at his sad condition. 
A few days later and he had gone to his long home. 

Born of Irish parents in the famous old city of Limerick, on 
"the banks of the Shannon," as he often gleefully told me, 
DENIS HURLEY came to this country a mere lad — only 7 years 
of age — but destined to win, as the event proved, both fame 
and fortune. 

Here he grew up in the metropolis, increasing, as we can 



Address of Mr. Shannon, of New York rg 

easily imagine, his naturally sturdy strength by youthful con- 
tests, and receiving such education in the public schools as time 
and circumstances would permit. Having reached his majority, 
he seems to have at once taken a lively interest in the political 
struggles of his district, where, on account of his great personal 
popularity, he ultimately became the recognized leader of his 
party, and maintained that leadership to the end. 

That he should, therefore, on occasion become his party's 
candidate for office is but natural, and that he should enter 
with ardor into all election contests no one could doubt who 
ever knew him. He had the experience of both defeat and 
victory, and whether defeated or victorious he always bore 
himself in a manner to win the admiration not only of his 
supporters but of his opponents as well. 

His sterling honesty and fidelity to trust could not pass un- 
noticed in a commercial community, where these are exactly 
the qualities to give solid success to any industrial enterprise; 
and so we find him winning his way also in the business world, 
and securing for himself a handsome fortune that enabled him 
not only to care well for his family, but also to give scope to 
his generous instincts in many public-spirited ways, thus set- 
ting an example to his sons that will be a constant reminder to 
them through life of the worth and merits of their honored 
father. 

Of the services of Mr. Hurley as a Member of this House it 
will not be said of him that he ever sought to make himself con- 
spicuous, or that he was anxious or eager to take part in debate, 
or, as it is more accurately described, "to get into the Record;" 
but he will be remembered rather as one who was quite con- 
tent to devote himself modestly and quietly to the promotion of 
the best interests of his constituents, seeking in all proper ways 
to serve and aid them, but without much thought of self, the 



20 Memorial Addresses: Denis M. Hurley 

consciousness of duty faithfully done being the reward lie most 
cared for or desired. 

Such services as these may not have been showy or brilliant; 
but that they were fully appreciated by his constituents there 
can be no doubt. Ample proof of this may be found in the 
resolutions adopted by the various political organizations with 
which he was connected for so many years, fully recognizing 
his faithful services and paying eloquent tributes to his memory. 
But to those of us who were designated to accompany our 
friend and colleague to his last resting place nothing could be 
more convincing than the vast throngs of people who were 
assembled in the vicinity of his home, and afterwards attended 
the impressive funeral ceremonies at the church and the ceme- 
tery. This was the people's tribute to the memory of their 
Representative, of whom it can be truthfully said that in every 
relation in life "he well performed his part." 



Address of Mr. Bartlwldt, of Missouri 21 



Address of Mr. Bartholdt, of Missouri 

Mr. Speaker: To add a spray to the wreath which kindly 
regard and affection will weave in loving remembrance of 
Denis M. Hurley I esteem a great privilege. It is an oppor- 
tunity which honors those who improve it, because all who 
knew our departed friend more intimately will agree that while 
greater men may have been eulogized here, tributes have never 
been paid to abetter man, if the test of human perfection is the 
goodness of heart and the purity of soul. 

With all our boasted civilization and our wonderful technical 
progress the average human heart has undergone no change. 
The same passions, weaknesses, and failings move it to-day as 
thousands of years ago, and its nobler traits existed then the 
same as now. Neither knowledge nor education nor even genius 
constitutes a guaranty of character, and some of the greatest 
artists, authors, orators, and statesmen, who in the drama of 
life appeared before the footlights, have proved to be knaves or 
scoundrels. This seems a pessimistic view, tending to breathe 
despair of moral improvement, but the recognition of a truth 
brings with it its own salvation. We are attracted by goodness 
of heart much more than by the most phenomenal intellectual- 
ity. We may admire ability or worship heroism, but when we 
come across a real good man whose lips are touched by benevo- 
lence and whose soul is aglow with love for his fellow-men — ■ 
and Denis M. Hurley was such a man — then our whole 
hearts go out to him, the innate goodness of our own souls 
reveals itself, and we look up to him as a noble example which 
it is our duty to emulate. Thus we demonstrate, instinctively, 
perhaps, that we put character above genius and culture, and 



22 Memorial Addresses: Denis AT. Hurley 

therein lies the hope of the human race in its onward march to 
moral improvement and perfection. 

We claim for main- of our departed friends that their careers 
forcibly illustrate the possibilities of American citizenship. 
Of none can this be said more justly than of Denis M Hur- 
ley. His career, we may rightfully say, carries lessons no less 
instructive to our youth than gratifying to all honest friends of 
free institutions. Horn on foreign soil, he died as the Repre- 
sentative in the American Congress of a great and enlightened 
constituency. Was he less patriotic, less intensely American, 
because of his foreign birth? Nobody dared to make the asser- 
tion, and if narrow-mindedness should ever cause a betrayal of 
the spirit of our institutions to the extent of drawing such a 
distinction and making such a charge, Mr. Hurley's career 
was a complete refutation of it. He prized American citizen- 
ship the higher, because its cardinal duty is love of liberty, and 
further, because he enjoyed it, not as a natural right, but a 
privilege under the Constitution, which he should have liked to 
extend to the downtrodden and oppressed of all the world in 
strict accordance with the lessons of the fathers. Therefore, 
when the proposition was made in Congress to restrict Euro- 
pean immigration by excluding illiterates — in other words, to 
punish the poor for their lack of opportunity — he was one of 
the sternest opponents of such a measure, and advocated with 
all the seriousness of his nature the maintenance of the right of 
asylum, a boon which, enjoying it himself, he would not deny 
to others. 

Hut few can realize the difficulties which beset the pathway 
of a poor, lone immigrant boy. Without the loving care of 
parents and without the protection and influence of friends, he 
has to depend entirely upon himself from the very start. Com- 
pared with the native-born he is naturally at a vast disadvan- 



Address of Mr. Bartkoldt, of Missouri 23 

tage. Only when we bear this in mind it will be possible loi- 
ns to fully measure the amount of energy, industry, and good 
common sense it required for young Hurley to be finally 
accepted as a partner by the large business concern with which 
he was connected. We often hear it asserted that success in 
business is most frequently due to unscrupulous methods. If 
this be true — and I hope it is not — Mr. Hurley's case is an 
exception, just as his public career is a refutation of the frivo- 
lous idea that politics and corruption are inseparable, or that no 
one could remain in public life for any length of time without 
paying the penalty of contamination. 

Denis M. Hurley was a religiously honest man in business 
and politics. He served his constitutents as faithfully as his 
customers, but when we ask to what factors his success was 
originally due my answer is, the rare goodness of his heart, his 
sublime tolerance, and his charitable disposition. While others 
captivated the senses of their fellow-men by eloquence, and thus 
gained popularity and fame, he captured their hearts by good 
cheer and kindness, and thus became an enviable object of their 
love and affectionate regard. We strive to live up to the teach- 
ings of the Xazarene and Lincoln's noble maxim, "With 
charity to all, and malice toward none;" but during my life I 
have met but few men who succeeded so well as our departed 
friend in putting those good teachings into practice, as a mere 
instinctive manifestation of his innate good nature. 

One day I met him on the way to the War Department. 
He wanted to look up the case of an old colored man who 
had served in the war of the rebellion, but whose name 
somehow could not be found on the muster rolls. "There 
is some mistake," he said, "because the evidence shows that 
the man did serve in the Union Army, and I am trying to 
have justice done him. It is true he did not support me in 



24 Memorial Addresses: Denis M. Hut-lev 

the last campaign, but he is poor and broken down in health, 
and who should help him in such a matter if I would refuse 
to do it?" He devoted a good deal of time to that ease in 
the interest of a man who had opposed him politically. On 
another occasion he complained to me about the defeat of a 
pet measure of his. "I bear the men who opposed the bill 
no grudge," he said, "they are simply mistaken, and I shall 
talk to them and convince them of their mistake, no matter 
whether the bill will ever be brought up again or not." 
The spirit of retaliation was foreign to his nature. An old 
aunt in Ireland, who was obliged, after the death of his 
parents, to take the 6-year-old boy into her house, treated 
him unkindly, and shortly afterwards shipped him to America. 
Years after the same aunt came to this country herself, and 
to-day they sleep the eternal sleep side by side in the Brook- 
lyn cemetery, he having insisted when she died that she 
should be buried on his lot. He had also provided for her 
in her lifetime, and so retaliated in kindness, not in kind, 
for the cruel treatment he had suffered at her hands. 

In the district which Mr. Hurley so ably represented in 
Congress he could not have been elected and reelected but for 
the fact that he was personally known to the majority of the 
voters. They knew him as a friend of the poor ami helpless, a 
warm-hearted advocate of the rights and interests of the plain 
people, and a fearless champion of the cause of humanity and 
justice. Therefore the sorrow at his untimely death — in the 
meridian of his powers and in the unimpaired possession of all 
his faculties — was shared by all classes. The pulpit and the 
press have united in giving expression to the popular sense of 
bereavement and in paying eloquent tribute to his memory, 
It fell to my lot to accompany the delegation from this House 
and the Senate to the city of his residence, and follow his 



Address of Mr. Bartkoldi, of MissQuri 25 

body to its last resting place. It was a sad and solemn occa- 
sion, the memory of which will always remain with me. The 
whole western part of the great city was in mourning. All 
classes of its people — the rich, the poor, the old, the young — 
were moved with a common grief. To one and all the death 
of their distinguished and warm-hearted friend and fellow- 
citizen had come with the force of a personal loss. Amid such 
sincere and loyal tributes to the qualities that enshrine men in 
the hearts of their fellows his mortal remains were laid to rest. 
' ' Requiescat in pace. ' ' 



26 Metnorial Addresses: Denis M. Hurley 



Address of Mr. Mitchell, of New York 

Mr. Speaker: My colleague from the Second district of New 
York has left this House forever, but the memory of his gen- 
erous, great, and grand spirit will ever remain blessed and 
revered with those who knew him. 

The sweetness, simplicity, and honest}' of the nature ©f Denis 
M. Hurley were imprinted in every line and expression of his 
face, and his sturdiness and steadfastness were shown not only 
from the reflections of his soul but in every movement of his 
splendid sinews and powerful frame. Could that spirit have 
existed in an Indian in the days when that race was noblest it 
would have made its possessor leader of tribes and his name 
Great Heart. 

His control over men and power to lead and command were 
proven by the ability with which he repeatedly led his Con- 
gressional district to victory and the great trust and confidence 
reposed in him by his business and political associates. He 
was incapable of dissimulation. He always had a prompt 
answer based on sound reasoning when called upon to express 
his opinion "ii mooted questions of state. A Congress made 
Up nf such strong men, full of sympathy, controlled by good 
judgment and business experience, instead of causing this 
country alarm when called together either in regular or extra 
session, would restore confidence both here and abroad, for 
everyone would know that progress was assured on great, 
broad, healthy lines, and that justice would reign supreme. 



Address of Mr. Ray, of New York 27 



Address of Mr. Ray, of New York 

Mr. Speaker: The life and character of Denis M. Huri.ky, 
late a Member of this House, demonstrate the truth of the 
frequently repeated statement that in the United States of 
America we have no aristocracy save that of brains and integrity. 
Denis M. Hurley was born in Limerick, Ireland, in 1843. 
He came to Brooklyn. N. Y., in 1S50, at the age of 7 years, 
where he always resided, except that for twelve years during 
his boyhood, from 1854 to 1S66, he resided in the city of New 
York. He was educated in the public schools and in the broad 
field of human activities, where, availing himself of every oppor- 
tunity, he added to his knowledge and mental resources until 
he became a leader among men. 

His ability, integrity, and worth, the estimation in which he 
was held by his fellow-citizens, are shown by the fact that in 
the city of Brooklyn he was elected to the Fifty-fourth and 
reelected to the Fifty-fifth Congress as a Republican by sub- 
stantial majorities. He was neither a politician nor an office 
seeker,, as those words are commonly understood. He min- 
gled actively in politics for the reason that he was interested in 
good government, the growth an( \ prosperity of his city and 
State and adopted country, and also fully realized and appre- 
ciated the benefits conferred upon the human race by our sys- 
tem of government. He accepted office not as a business or 
means of livelihood or to gratify ambition, but that he might 
do his part to insure the honest administration of affairs and 
promote the general welfare. He was an industrious, intelli- 
gent worker wherever found. When a young man he learned 
and practiced the trade of carpenter and joiner with success. 



28 Memorial Addresses: Denis M. Hurley 

He knew how to shape, fashion, and fit material things and 
make them useful to man. 

When he engaged in municipal and State affairs he demon- 
strated his ability to shape governmental policies, to utilize the 
moral and mental forces about him, and construct useful and 
permanent laws. He never tore down a structure for the mere 
sake of destruction, but that it might be replaced with some- 
thing better, something more useful. He never opposed any 
proposition or measure unless he could see that its adoption 
would produce injury, or more injury than possible good. He 
was progressive in his instincts and purposes. He was Ameri- 
can in every act and inspiration. He was a Republican because 
he believed in the principles of the party — was convinced that 
the prosperity of the whole country depended on the adoption 
and execution of its policies. He had the warm, generous 
nature characteristic of his nationality. He was genial, he 
was kind, he was true. He was aggressive when occasion de- 
manded, and brave, but he rarely gave offense. 

In his habits and manners Denis M. Huki.kv was unosten- 
tatious and unpretentious. He was a practical man — practical 
and accurate in his judgment and so made few mistakes in deal- 
ing with men either in public or private life. He knew the 
people and sympathized with them. He always opposed any- 
thing and everything savoring oppression. He believed in the 
broadest measure of liberty to the citizen consistent with good 
government. In his judgment force was the fit instrument of 
despots and tyrants, but the last resort in the government of a 
free and an intelligent people. He believed that aggregations 
of men will care for themselves, and, if intelligent, will govern 
themselves wisely and well, and that therefore the only true 
form of government is a republic; that to insure a high degree 
of liberty there must be a high degree of intelligence and educa- 



Address of Mr. Ray, of New York 29 

tioii. Hence he was the friend and champion of our common- 
school system and of governmental aid in every field where the 
uplifting of the masses is possible. 

He had no enemies in this House. We came to know him 
gradually, but knew him to be an honest, careful, painstaking 
business legislator, a true, reliable friend. He admired oratory, 
but was never swayed by it. Mere words made no impression 
on his judgment. He was always himself. It has been said 
that "he is great who is what he is from nature, and never 
reminds us of others." It is certainly true that no man can 
become great by imitation. Denis M. Hurley imitated no 
man. He was what he was and as he was because he was 
natural and made the most of his opportunities without trench- 
ing upon the rights of others. 

Not a demagogue himself, he had no respect for demagogical 
statesmanship. He wanted the truth and the wise action de- 
manded by actual conditions. He had great pride in his home 
city, in the City of New York and in the Empire State, but he 
felt an equal pride in the Republic. He was not, could not 
be, sectional. Hence, he had no sympathy with sectionalism. 
He would not support legislation designed or calculated to ben- 
efit one locality at the expense of another. He was respected 
by his colleagues irrespective of party. He was a safe adviser. 
He never sought to wear the laurels won by another. He was 
happy when his Republican colleagues from New York won 
recognition. He always stood by his party on party questions, 
but never hesitated to act independently when private rights 
were at stake, nor would he permit private rights to be made 
a party question. 

But Denis M. Hurley is, as we say, dead. When the 
tidings came that our loved and honored colleague had been 
called from his field of usefulness here to that other land of 



30 Memorial Addresses: Denis M. Hurley 

which we think much, but know little, a feeling of sadness, 
of bereavement, permeated every heart. We realized that we 
had lost a companion and a friend. It is fitting and proper 
that we pause in our labors and pay fitting tribute to his 
memory. True, what we say here will not be long remem- 
bered, but we can point to the life of Denis M. Hurley and 
say to the young men of America, "Do thou likewise," and 
trust that some will find encouragement, and perhaps inspira- 
tion, to pursue life's work with greater zeal and determination. 

Lives of great men all remind us 

We can make our lives sublime, 
And, departing, leave behind us 

Footprints on the sands of time; 

Footprints, that perhaps another, 

Sailing o'er life's solemn main, 
A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, 

Seeing, may take heart again. 

Who will say that the life and successes of Denis M. 
Ht'RLEv, born in Ireland, educated in the free schools of New- 
York, a toiler at the carpenter's bench, a wise, respected, and 
honored legislator in the Congress of the United States of 
America, are not an inspiration to the youths of America — 
' ' footprints ' ' that shall guide young men aright and encourage 
hundreds to renewed effort? This age is wedded too much to 
fiction. We have too many dreamers. Too many follow 
visions that constantly change and thus lead their devotees a 
weary chase after the unattainable and the impossible. Denis 
M. Huklev was not visionary, but a practical man, and hence a 
successful one. There was no dash nor glitter in his make-up. 
He was solid, substantial, reliable, persistent, and hence he 
carried men with him when he advocated a measure or a 
policy. He succeeded because the man and his methods mer- 
ited success. 



Address of Mr. Ray, of New York 33 

Whatever of greatness he possessed he achieved; it was 
not thrust upon him. What great and good men have done 
others may do ; and with improved methods and more extensive 
knowledge those who study the lives of worthy and successful 
men and avoid their errors may accomplish still greater results. 
Our late colleague has not lived in vain. His example was 
worthy of emulation, and his influence was felt impelling men 
in the right direction. Those who know what he did, those 
who read the story of his simple and honest and laborious life. 
more fully appreciate the blessings flowing from our system of 
government and the rewards that crown honest and persistent 
effort. When he became a man he saw a field of labor open 
to all who would compete. He at once became a competitor. 
The occupation was humble, but useful. He mastered the 
business, and became a leader and then a commander. He 
knew how to do things and did them. He honored labor and 
labor honored him. The masses in his Congressional district 
were entitled to representation, and their choice fell upon him 
because he was of them and understood them and could speak 
for them. 

In the broad sense, Denis M. Hurley is not dead, but called 
to a higher field of usefulness. God has so ordained that no 
material thing, however much it changes its form, is lost. Who 
can doubt that in some form somewhere the brave spirits of 
God's noblemen find an eternal home and work to do? It is 
well that we do not know what lies beyond the grave. We 
do know that this earth on which we live is but an atom in 
the vast creation of Omnipotent power. We do know that 
there is room beyond the sky and that our Creator has planted 
deep in every human breast, not hope merely, but an expecta- 
tion of immortality. In the firm belief that this expectation is 
to be fully realized, let us assert what our late colleague firmly 



2,2 Memorial Addresses: Denis M. Hurley 

believed, that what we call death is but "transition," and that 
he is now where the grasses are ever green, the flowers ever 
bloom, and the birds ever sing, and the ended centuries are 
ever iu the springtime of an eternal' life. 

There are no dead; we fall asleep 
To waken where they never weep. 
We close our eyes on pain and sin, 
Our breath ebbs out, but life flows in. 



Address of Mr. Meyer, <>/ Louisiana 33 



Address of Mr. Meyer, of Louisiana. 

Mr. Speaker: I do not rise for the purpose of speaking in 
detail of the varied and useful career of Denis M. Hurley, to 
whose memory we are now paying this tribute. That duty has 
been well performed by those from whom it more appropri- 
ately comes than from myself, but a long association with the 
deceased in this House and an observation of his public career 
will surely justify in me a brief word expressive of my respect 
and sympathy for his elevated sturdy character and useful 
service. 

Mr. Hurley sat in this House for about four years, the 
choice of a "Teat constituency from the important city of Brook- 
lyn. Serving with him as a colleague on the Committee on 
Naval Affairs, and in frequent social intercourse, I had constant 
opportunity to observe and study his admirable traits of char- 
acter and his devotion to duty. He was a man endowed with a 
quiet but steady enthusiasm, and brought to the performance of 
his duties an admirable courage, perfect conviction, and con- 
ceded purity of motive, and even those who differed from him 
must widely in his political beliefs recognized his sincerity ami 
respected him as a worthy and most honorable antagonist. 

I believe that Mr. Hltrley enjoyed the sincere respect of 
every Member of the House, and he more than deserved it. 
He was not a man of artifice or tricks. He had no cunning. 
He was not a demagogue or titneserver. He spoke always 
what he believed to be the truth. He followed unostenta- 
tiously but firmly what he believed to be the path of duty. 
No line of ambition, no sordid motive, no popular clamor or 
misconception could have led him to swerve from the right as 
H. Doc. 801, 59-2 3 



34 Memorial Addresses: Denis M. Hurley 

he understood it. He was a punctual, a faithful, a laborious 
public servant. In an epoch when many public men are 
accused, whether rightfully or wrongfully, no one ever whis- 
pered a syllable against his personal integrity. His life was 
one of republican simplicity, true to his antecedents and 
traditions; homely, if you please, but clean, honest, and brave. 
If the high standard of fidelity and duty that Mr. Hurley 
recognized could be made the law and life of our representative 
men, the effect upon every branch of the public service would 
be to quicken us all to a new and higher patriotism and to 
inspire a stronger hope in our institutions. He has left a noble 
model for us to follow. Those who specially mourn his loss in 
this hour of bereavement can not but feel that he has well and 
bravely filled his part, both as a useful citizen in the industrial 
walks of life and on a great theater of public action; and that 
not only his good works do follow him, but the lesson of a high 
example. 



PROCEEDINGS IN THE SENATE 

Monday, February 2j, i8gg. 

A message from the House of Representatives, by Mr. W. J. 
Browning, its Chief Clerk, communicated to the Senate the 
intelligence of the death of Denis M. Hurley, late a Member 
of the House from the State of New York, and transmitted 
resolutions of the House thereon. 

The message further announced that the Speaker pro tempore 
of the House had appointed Mr. Fischer, of New York; Mr. 
Sherman, of New York; Mr. Howe, of New York: Mr. Shan- 
non, of New York; Mr. Odell, of New York; Mr. Bartholdt, 
of Missouri; Mr. Mahou, of Pennsylvania; Mr. Kulp, of Penn- 
sylvania; Mr. Driggs, of New York; Mr. Bartlett, of Georgia, 
and Mr. Clayton, of Alabama, as the committee on the part of 
the House to take charge of the funeral arrangements. 

Mr. Platt of New York. I ask the Chair to lay before the 
Senate the resolutions of the House of Representatives in rela- 
tion to the death of Representative Hurley. 

The President pro tempore laid before the Senate the fol- 
lowing resolutions of the House of Representatives; which were 
read: 

In the Housk ok Representatives, 

February _'/, rSgg. 
Resolved, That the House has heard with deep regret and profound 
sorrow of the death of Hon. DENIS M. HURLEY, late a Representative from 
tile State of New York. 

Resolved, That a committee of eleven Members of the House, with such 
Members of the Senate as may be joined, be appointed to attend the 

35 



V 1 Memorial addresses : Denis M. Hurley 

funeral at Brooklyn, X. V., and that the necessary expenses attending the 
execution of this order be paid out of the contingent fund of the House. 

Resolved, That the- Sergeant-at-Arms of the House be authorized and 
directed to take such steps as may be necessary for properly carrying out 
the provisions of this resolution. 

Ri wived, That the Clerk of the House communicate these resolutions 
to the Senate and transmit a copy thereof to the family of the deceased 

Resolved, That, as a further mark of respect, the House do now adjourn. 

Mr. 1'i.att of New York. Mr. President, I offer the resolu- 
tions I send tn the desk. 

The President pro tempore. The resolutions will be read.. 
The Secretary read the resolutions, as follows: 

Resolved, That the Senate has heard with deep sensibility the announce- 
ment of the death of Hon. Denis M. Htrlky, late a Representative 
from the State of New York. 

Resolved, That a committeeof five Senators be appointed by the Presid- 
ing Officer to join the committee appointed on the part of the House 
of Representatives to take order for superintending the funeral of the 
deceased. 

Resolved, That the Secretary communicate these resolutions to the 
House of Representatives. 

Tlie resolutions were considered by unanimous consent and 
unanimously agreed to. 

The President pro tempore appointed, under the second 
resolution, as the committee on the part of the Senate, Mr. Wil- 
son, Mr. Wellington, Mr. Smith, Mr. Heitfeld, and Mr. Piatt, 
of New York. 

Mr. Pi.ATT of New York. Mr. President, I offer an additional 
resolution, and ask for its adoption. 

The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The resolution will he read. 

The resolution was read, as follows: 

Resolved, That as a further mark of respect to the memory of the 

deceased, Hie Senate do now adjourn 

The resolution was unanimously agreed to; and (at 9 o'clock 
and 35 minutes p. m. ) the Senate adjourned until to-morrow, 
Tuesday, February 2S, 1S99. at 11 o'clock a. m. 



Proceedings in the Senate 37 

Ti 1.M1AV, June 5, rgoo. 

A message from the H<hisl- of Representatives, by Mr. \V. J. 
Browning, its Chief Clerk, announced that the House bad 
parsed a concurrent resolution permitting Members "1 the Sen- 
ate and of the House of Representatives to print in the Record 
appropriate remarks in eulogy of the Hon. Denis M. Hurley, 
deceased; in which it requested the concurrence of the Senate. 

The President pro tempore laid before the Senate the fol- 
lowing concurrent resolution of the House of Representatives: 

In the House or Representatives, 

June f, /goo. 

Whereas the late Hon. Denis M. HURLEY, Member of the Fifty-fifth 
Congress from the Second district of the State of New York, died on the 
26th day of February, 1H99, immediately preceding the final adjournment 
of the Fifty-fifth Congress; and 

Whereas the pressure of public business in the few days then remain- 
ing of the Fiftv-fifth Congress prevented a day being set apart foi the 
custi imary tributes to the memory of the said deceased : 

Resolved by the House of Representatives [the Senate concurring), That 
Members of the Senate and of the House of Representatives be permitted 
to print in the Record appropriate remarks in eulogy of the said Hon. 
Denis M. Hurley, deceased. 

The President pro tempore. The question is on concurring 

in the resolution. 

The resolution was concurred in. 



o 



